The United States dismissed elections in Abkhazia as illegitimate, and renewed support for what it called Georgia's internationally-recognized borders.

"The United States does not recognize the legitimacy or the results of the August 26 so-called elections in the Abkhazia region of Georgia," State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said.

"We reiterate our support for Georgia's sovereignty, territorial integrity within its internationally-recognized borders. We urge Russia to fulfill all of its obligations under the 2008 ceasefire agreement including withdrawal of forces to pre-conflict positions and free access for humanitarian assistance to the territories," she said, the Associated Press reported.

Similar statements were made earlier by NATO and EU.